I was employed as a gaming security officer for Brent Walker in the late eighties and early nineties during which time I worked many enjoyable overtime shifts at Charlie Chester's and can fully appreciate the fond attachment people formed with the place and of course the area itself.

In 1993 I was employed at Charlie Chester's full-time when it was taken over by Maxims Casino Group shortly after plans were drawn up to turn it into a wild west theme casino and re-brand it simply 'Chesters'.

The renovation coincided with my decision to leave the industry and literally hours before the builders started their work and for the sake of posterity I set to work with my camera.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading through this thread and am very pleased to be able to contribute a few internal photos which there seems to be a severe shortage of.

Very sad to here of Bill Ferguson's passing, an absolute gentleman whom I had the pleasure of working with at the Baracuda.

I will post a couple more photos later including one inside the camera room.

Growing up in Sheffield my first taste of London was coming down to watch Wednesday play in the smoke with the lads from the Valley. We would hire a mini bus and part of the ritual was an evening of culture and entertainment in Soho.

I can remember Charlie Chester's and the Golden Horseshoe faced each other and it was usual to see dealers crossing the road from one to the other. I later learn't that there was only one staff room for the two casinos.

What was it like in those days?. It must have been unusual making your way for a break across a street full of hookers, pimps with dumb northern yobs staggering around into the early hours.

Any fond memories of the two casinos?

Ian

Hi Ian (If you're still there - or are all mods there called 'Ian' Lol).

Yeah, I've got a few.

I was there from summer 1977 to early 1982. Bob Borg interviewed me for the job, a very nice man.

Terry Green ran the training school when I was on it. Another really nice guy. He wasn't too happy about having to supervise the training if I remember rightly, and wanted to be back on the gaming floor.

Hi Ian (If you're still there - or are all mods there called 'Ian' Lol).

Yeah, I've got a few.

Charlie Chester's and the Golden Horseshoe.

I was there from summer 1977 to early 1982. Bob Borg interviewed me for the job, a very nice man.

Terry Green ran the training school when I was on it. Another really nice guy. He wasn't too happy about having to supervise the training if I remember rightly, and wanted to be back on the gaming floor.

More anon.

stratty

Bobbie Borg interviewed me too. The 1st person I ever spoke to from the casino industry and I naively thought everyone would be as nice too.

Terry Green did get back on the floor, and always made an effort with the dealers to help them improve... but they never promoted him past Inspector (what a waste, he was ahead of his time and didn't carry the ego BS that some of the pitbosses had at the time).

Bobbie Borg interviewed me too. The 1st person I ever spoke to from the casino industry and I naively thought everyone would be as nice too.

Terry Green did get back on the floor, and always made an effort with the dealers to help them improve... but they never promoted him past Inspector (what a waste, he was ahead of his time and didn't carry the ego BS that some of the pitbosses had at the time).

Bobbie Borg interviewed me too. The 1st person I ever spoke to from the casino industry and I naively thought everyone would be as nice too.

Terry Green did get back on the floor, and always made an effort with the dealers to help them improve... but they never promoted him past Inspector (what a waste, he was ahead of his time and didn't carry the ego BS that some of the pitbosses had at the time).

Hi CC. Yes, casinocolin is right, Terry Green was a pit boss. We all remember the blue suits the pit bosses used to wear right?

I remember dealing to the real Charlie Chester on many occasions. He was quite friendly and not as conceited as some 'celebrities' are. He would stand between two roulette tables and play on both at once.

Got to keep the interest up here as I'm sure there's lots of potential to uncover some neat memorabilia and memories.

Quote:

So my question is. Did Charlie Chester ever play (FIFY) or make regular visits to Charlie Chesters?

As you can see from my last post immediately before yours ian, Charlie Chester used to come in and have a punt regularily, and I dealt roulette to him plenty of times. As I said, he used to play two tables at once.

Francis Bacon was another regular. He used to come in with his latest toy-boy and play blackjack (I never saw him play roulette). Most of the time he was as pissed as a rat. He used to dribble and slaver a lot, and he reminded me of Kit Lambert, manager of 'The Who', who used to drink (and pick up boys) in 'The Ship' up the road in Wardour Street.

Quote:

Presumably this Francis Bacon video was also shot in Chesters?
South Bank Show 1985?

Hard to tell what casino that vid was shot in. The ball went into 17 black and that's all the dealer said. At Chester's you had to call out what bets were on the number as well (straight-up/split/corner etc) in case of a dispute. She didn't do that.

Hard to tell what casino that video was shot in. The ball went into 17 black and that's all the dealer said. At Chester's you had to call out what bets were on the number as well (straight-up/split/corner etc) in case of a dispute. She didn't do that.

I remember Lenny Stratford making a come back to CC in 19987 too!

Stratty

The female dealer uniform is the same one as CCC 1986 (when i started) at at that time we only announced the number and colour. The narrator announces a casino close by in Soho, so it's pretty sure it's CCC.